"The astronauts' experiences in their own words"--Jacket

Includes bibliographical references and index

This book looks at the Space Shuttle experience, as told by the astronauts themselves. The editors of Air & Space/Smithsonian Magazine wrote all of the people who have flown on the Space Shuttle since 1981 with a simple request: Tell us your best stories. The astronauts' candid responses reveal the drama of the Shuttle experience, from launch to landing. The book includes more than 300 pictures selected from deep in the NASA archives and personal anecdotes drawn from written submissions or original interviews with 77 Shuttle astronauts. An historical section highlights in words and pictures the greatest accomplishments of the Shuttle's first two decades. Complete with brief descriptions of all 103 flights from April 1981 to April 2001, Space Shuttle includes a foreword written by astronaut Jim Lovell, who was portrayed by Tom Hanks in the film Apollo 13

pt. 1. The missions. 1981-1982: Half rocket, half airplane -- 1983-1985: We deliver -- 1986-1988: Challenger and its aftermath -- 1989-1994: Recovery, research, reconnaissance -- 1995-1998: The Mir years -- 1999-2001: An outpost in the sky -- pt. 2. The experience. The making of an astronaut -- Countdown -- Uphill -- Welcome to zero-g -- Earth above, sky below -- Work and play -- Stepping outside -- Home sweet shuttle -- Lab rats and researchers -- Like no place on earth -- Coming home -- Epilogue: The long view -- Appendices : Glossary ; The space transportation system ; Space shuttle flights (1981-2001) ; Index of astronaut contributors ; Bibliography and story sources ; Acknowledgments ; Credits and copyright information

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